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Prayer beads
How exactly are Buddhist prayer beads used?
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http://www.wildmind.org/mantras/how_used
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bead
Letter d.
That's a really good idea.
In Tibet prayer is going on most of the time. Tibetans pray in a special way. They believe that when certain sounds and words - mantras - are said many times, they arouse good vibrations within the person.
Some Mala Basics
The mala is held with gentleness and respect, generally in the left hand. One bead is counted for each recitation of the mantra, beginning with the first bead after the "guru" bead - the larger, more decorative bead at the mala's end. The first bead is held between the index finger and thumb, and with each count the thumb pulls another bead in place over the index finger.
After completing a full circuit of the mala, the practitioner flips the mala around 180 degrees (this takes practice to accomplish) and continues as before, in reverse order. One aims to avoid passing over the "guru" bead, as doing so is symbolically like stepping over one's teacher.
According to the Office of Tibet, the official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London, the guru bead signifies the wisdom that cognizes emptiness. Surmounting it is another, cylindrical bead that symbolizes emptiness itself; together, these two beads symbolize having vanquished all opponents.
To aid in mantra counting, on many Tibetan malas there are divider beads of a different color, spaced equally along the mala's length. One also may attach a pair of counter strings to the mala as an additional counting aid- each string of the pair is a double-plaited cord threaded with 10 small ring beads, generally made of silver, gold or bronze, which are used to count the tens and hundreds of completed mala cycles.
A third counter also may be attached to the mala to keep track of the thousands of cycles completed. Often featuring the symbol of a wheel or jewel, this counter is attached to the thread between two beads, and then repositioned from bead to bead.
http://www.snowlionpub.com/pages/N64_4.html
@sile thank you for the detailed info.
All of you are wonderful.
One example of transferring merit:
A Buddhist transfer the merit of practicing Buddhism to his/her passed away atheist parents. Their parents often show up in their dreams to let them know they're doing really well.(In a symbolic way).
Relying on yourself is greater than relying on others.
There's also someone who are willing to help others who walk a wrong path-The Bodhisattva way.